Batting

Playing its first home doubleheader in 20 days, the Belmont Abbey softball team lost both games of a Conference Carolinas doubleheader to the visiting Limestone Saints this afternoon. Limestone won the opener 5-0 and took the nightcap, 4-2. The Saints improve to 18-12 overall and 3-1 in Conference Carolinas, while the Abbey slips to 7-20 overall, 3-3 in league play.

The opener was scoreles until the top of the second when Limesontone took advantage of two Abbey errors to score two runs, both on singles.

Two innings later, Limestone plated three on three hits, but all the runs came on a single from Ashley Cox.

Kelly Shearer went the distance in the circle for the Saints, as she tossed a complete game four hit shutout, striking out four. Catelyn Presley took the loss after giving up five runs, three earned, on nine hits in six innings. She fanned three.

Four different Crusaders had one hit.

In game two, the Crusaders broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth as shortstop Dani Marietta ripped a single to left. The ball was misplayed, allowing Katherine Starnes to score.

The lead was short-lived, as Limestone surged back ahead in the sixth after the first two batters were retired. The Saints added an insurance run in the seventh.

In the bottom of the frame, the Abbey brought the tying run to the plate after Starnes reached on a walk, but she was cut down on a force play.

Klinnin Carson earned the win for Limestone as she went the distance, allowing two unearned runs on six hits, walking two. Samantha Jacobs took the loss after allowing one earned run in seven innings, striking out six.

Brooke Baliles led the Abbey with two hits as the Crusaders finished with six.